Denver, United States: A Frontier Airlines Airbus A321neo struck and killed a trespasser while departing Denver International Airport late on May 8, triggering an aborted takeoff, an engine fire, smoke inside the cabin, and an emergency evacuation that left 12 people with minor injuries, according to airport authorities, Frontier Airlines, the FAA and the NTSB.
The aircraft, operating as Frontier Airlines Flight 4345 from Denver International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport, was carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members when the incident occurred at approximately 11:19 p.m. local time on Runway 17L.
Officials said the unidentified individual breached the airport perimeter fence and entered the active runway area shortly before the collision. Denver International Airport confirmed the person was not believed to be an airport employee. Authorities stated the trespasser was struck by the aircraft during the takeoff roll and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Frontier Airlines said the pilots immediately rejected the takeoff after reporting that the aircraft had struck a person on the runway. The impact resulted in a brief engine fire and smoke entering the cabin, prompting an emergency evacuation using inflatable slides.
Official figures released by Frontier Airlines and cited by the NTSB confirmed that 12 occupants sustained minor injuries during the evacuation. Five people were transported to local hospitals for treatment, while the remaining injured passengers were treated at the airport. No fatalities or serious injuries were reported among passengers or crew.
“We are gathering information about the emergency evacuation to determine if it meets criteria for a safety investigation,” NTSB spokesperson Sarah Taylor Sulick said early Sunday, adding that the agency might have more details in a few hours.
A spokesman for the Denver Police Department said Sunday the investigation into the incident was ongoing and that the identity of the person on the runway will be confirmed and released by the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner.
The CEO of the Denver airport, Phil Washington, said he knows there are questions still to be answered. “As this is an active investigation with numerous other agencies involved, it is going to take some time as we are still confirming what information we can share at this time,” Washington said in a statement. “This was a horrible and preventable tragedy that has affected many due to the actions of one person who apparently trespassed at an airport and lost their life as a result.”
Flight tracking data reviewed by Flightradar24 showed the Airbus A321neo accelerated to approximately 127 knots before braking heavily and stopping on the runway. Emergency crews responded immediately and extinguished the engine fire. Passengers were later transported back to the terminal by bus, and Frontier arranged an alternate flight for most travelers.
The affected runway remained closed for several hours before reopening Saturday morning. Federal authorities have launched multiple investigations into both the runway incursion and the emergency evacuation process.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it is gathering information regarding the evacuation procedures, while the Federal Aviation Administration, local law enforcement and airport security officials are also examining how the individual gained access to the restricted airside area.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described the incident as a serious security breach and stressed that unauthorized access to airport movement areas poses extreme danger to both aircraft operations and public safety.
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